Why You Need A Playing Lesson

RE: Why You Need A Playing Lesson

Edward K — Wed, 26 Apr 2023 23:06:35 GMT

If my coach caddies for me, I'm 4 shots better, and he's got me thinking I can really play! Sometimes the right amount of "input" can mean a world of difference.

RE: Why You Need A Playing Lesson

Kenny PGA Associate — Wed, 26 Apr 2023 14:09:46 GMT

Skip is a great guy. I've done two TT clinics with Skip and Mark Heartfield and they were invaluable. Putting, chipping, bunkers and full swing. Then on to the course for some great talks and thoughts while playing.
I would definitely do another clinic with him and recommend you do the same.

One word of advice, don't wear a Yankee hat around Skip! hahaha

RE: Why You Need A Playing Lesson

Chuck Z — Tue, 25 Apr 2023 18:19:46 GMT

My weakest is my iron play and short game. Got some great tips at our PGAHope lessons this morning. Probably the best help I have received over the 7 weeks. With my wrist breaking down, one of the pros really helped me with that and gave me a drill to help cure it. Playing with my teaching pro tomorrow morning. I graduated the PGA Hope program today. We can go thru the program twice, which I may do in the fall, and get lessons from our pros in the meantime. Being away from the game with medical issues really shows up your weaknesses when you return.

RE: Why You Need A Playing Lesson

Fred G — Tue, 25 Apr 2023 16:05:06 GMT

So true.. i have just started a few lessons which include a playing lesson. really interested to find out what it is all about!

RE: Why You Need A Playing Lesson

Jeremy M — Tue, 25 Apr 2023 11:47:08 GMT

My research takes that it's common for golfers to hit a plateau in their progress and feel frustrated with their scores not reflecting their abilities. I am one of those people, and realizing that taking lessons from an experienced instructor is a great way to get a new perspective on my game and think strategically on the field, I still decided to go my own way. I've found that combining practice with tips from more experienced golfing friends and reading books on mental game has been helpful for me. A few books that have changed my philosophy on building my game are Golf is Not a Game of Perfect by Dr. Bob Rotella and Zen Golf by Dr. Joseph Parent. In addition to books, I also like to read articles like studymoose.com/.../philosophy to gain new insights into different philosophies and approaches to golf. I think it's important to improve your game physically and mentally constantly. By continually learning and experimenting with new techniques and strategies, I continue to improve my game at this stage. It allows me to enjoy progress more than the result. Good luck to everyone who reads to the end :)

RE: Why You Need A Playing Lesson

Darryl M — Thu, 02 Mar 2023 06:59:23 GMT

Once again loads of great information about how to lower your scores. Hard to find someone of that magnitude around my parts to get that indepth with the short game. Most I have worked with keep things really vanilla & basic. Usually they don't have very many swing tools either. Glad you posted this, will keep reading it & taking notes.

DM

RE: Why You Need A Playing Lesson

Skip Guss — Mon, 27 Feb 2023 17:26:52 GMT

When I give a playing lesson to an expert player...we work on technique and mental strategies utilized by TOUR players. Thus, an individual playing lesson might work best for elite-calibre players.

This probably goes without say, but session format(s) and content change with different skill levels. Small groups are terrific, IF, all players in the group are close to the same skill level. As an example...my wife is a WAY BETTER skier than I, thus I would drag her down, by quite a lot, if we had a skiing lesson together. That is a "key"!

A great way to learn...and have a ton of fun...is to grab a few friends of equal ability...and let your Titleist professional help everyone learn how to navigate the course..."the 'rite' way!" Love it!

Another benefit to small group playing lessons...cost per player might be lower than the individual price, allowing for more sessions with your instructor. More time spent with your instructor...both on and off the course...the better you will play...the more competitive you will become..and the more fun you will have!

RE: Why You Need A Playing Lesson

Frank P — Sat, 25 Feb 2023 21:34:20 GMT

Did a series of lessons and a 9 hole playing lesson with Nancy Quarcelino, who is a Golf Magazine top 100 Teacher. Nancy has a school in Tennessee, but comes to our club from Jan-March. Just made some tweaks to my setup. She doesn't try to overhaul your swing. She is just great to work with. She videos the lessons, then sends them to your email, so you can review whenever you want. Anyone who lives in or around Nashville and needs some help with your game, should consider looking her up.

RE: Why You Need A Playing Lesson

Chuck Z — Sat, 25 Feb 2023 16:38:39 GMT

Good points. Rick, as most know, I have been in rehab for my back issues since early January and hoping to finish up in a couple of weeks. Have signed up for refresher lessons on March 14th. Have not played golf since Dec 12th when my back said, "Chuck put the clubs down, it is time to do something". Will be taking seven two hour lessons starting with refresher lessons, starting with putting working up to the driver, before going back out on the course.
One lesson each Tuesday. I never starting playing golf the correct way back in 1985, so it is time to do the right thing in my recovery. Have I missed the game? Yes and no. My body needed a rest, because I have been playing with pain for so long. I need to get my game corrected and it needed to start with my pain and work into a "refresher course with a PGA instructor". Hopefully when I return to full swinging in mid April my game will show some improvement. My flexibility has shown some need improvement already. At least that is what my physical therapist tells me. He is very pleased, guess I should be also. Did get to putt some the other day. Not bad, took my putter to my fitter and adjusted the lie 1* down and helped results. Seem to be standing taller due to PT. Hakuna matata.

RE: Why You Need A Playing Lesson

pulplvr — Sat, 25 Feb 2023 03:27:23 GMT

Thanks for posting this, Rick. I've often wondered how a playing lesson should differ from a regular lesson and this is an excellent example. I'm hoping to get one in a bit later this year, possibly as part of a small group. How would you, or Skip, see a group playing lesson differently from an individual one?